In Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan and one of the coldest cities in the world, Chinese engineer Ji Chenglong is leading a team from China Construction Sixth Engineering Bureau Corp., Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), on the city’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.
Astana Light Rail Transit Project [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Born in 1990, Ji has worked on major infrastructure projects across Asia and the Middle East. Since February 2024, he has been stationed in Astana, sacrificing family time — including Chinese New Year — to support the high-profile project.
To cope with extreme cold that shortens the annual construction window to just six months, Ji’s team introduced special cold-resistant materials and optimized concrete mixes to ensure quality and safety in harsh conditions.
In June 2024, ahead of the “Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus” meeting in Astana, Ji’s team was tasked with completing a key section of the LRT route —between piers LR7 and LR11 — in just 20 days. The route was set to serve as a passage for visiting leaders. Working around the clock in three shifts, the team completed the task in 17 days, earning praise from Astana Mayor and the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan.
The team also overcame another major challenge: erecting a 20-meter-high composite steel-concrete beam between piers LR17 and LR18, with limited space and tight deadlines. Using digital simulations and expert reviews, they completed the job in three days. Locals marveled at the speed, saying on social media that “a bridge appeared overnight.”
Despite being away from home for most of the year, Ji says he hopes one day to bring his family to Astana to see the light rail he helped build. “I want my son to know his father did something meaningful overseas,” he said.
Once completed, the Astana LRT will cut commute times nearly in half and boost economic growth along its route. It will stand as a symbol of China-Kazakhstan cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and a testament to the contribution of Chinese engineers abroad.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
